Power shovel



April 1, 1947. CH 2,418,299

' POWER SHOVEL Filed NOV 18, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet l April 1, 1947. H. F. GORSQUCH POWER SHOVEL Filed Nov. 18, 194-4 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. F. eoRsucl-l v2,418,299

roman SHOVEL Filed Nov. 18, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 it I Patented Apr. 1, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE POWER SHOVEL HowardF. Gorsuch, Mansfield, Ohio Application November 18, 1944, Serial No. 564,122

This invention is directed to an improvement in power shovels and the like, wherein all the functions and advantages of the conventional power shovel aremaintained while dispensing entirely with the use of cables, pulleys, or rack and pinion driving or connecting means.

In the universally accepted type of power shovels, the main boom is adjusted to the desired digging. or operating position through the use of cables and pulleys, the shovel or'other instrument adjusted to operating position through rack and pinion movement, and the digging and lifting of the shovel proper secured through the use of pulleys and cables. These operating elements are continually subjected to severe strains and incident to such require'almost continuous adjustment and frequent repair and renewal. Furthermore, the cable controls are particularly objectionable, requiring the use of cable drums and the operating space required for their mounting together with the mec anism for actuating and directlycontrolling the drums.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is'the provision of a motor shovel in which the shovel beam and boom, as well as the operating elements of these parts, are in the form of metallic bars or frames pivotally connected, though relatively adjustablaiorming a rigid lever action for operating the boom and the shovel beam, while entirely dispensing with the use of cables, cable drums, or gears and racks.

Again, in conventional power shovels, largely incident to their particular construction and arrangementof parts, there is absolute necessity of counterbalancing the digging strain, weight of the boom. and weight of the load. This generally necessitates the use of a power plant having sumcient weight and grip on the road surface to insure effective operation of the shovel. For this reason power shovels are ordinarily of caterpiller propulsion type, which materially restricts the utility of the power shovel owing to the length of time required for transportation of the shovel from place to place or even to difierent positions in a single digging or other operation.

11 Claims. (01. 214-138) A further object of the invention, therefore,"

is the provision of a power shovel in which the operative parts are so connected and related as to avoid the necessity for material or effective independent counterbalancing to a large extent, and thus permit the improved power shovel to be mounted and used in connection with a fast mov ing road vehicle. for example an ordinary auto mobile truck. The improved power shovel, may. with this advantage, be quickly and readily transported from job to job, and easily moved to different shovel operating positions as necessary in the particular job, to thus materially increase and enlarge the eflective utility of the power shovel as a whole.

conventionally power shovels are ordinarily operated by a single power unit, usually asteam engine to secure desired flexibility. This necessitates a considerable number 01' control connections and governing members in order to utilize the power of thepower unit to position the boom, position the shovel beam and lift the beam for the digging operation. as well as swinging the shovel as a unit for the discharge of the load. The absolute requirement for the numerous control elements by which the power may be directed that function. Thus such a motor is provided for controlling the boom, a second such motor provided for the control of the shovel beam, and a third such motor provided for turning the table on which the shovel parts as a whole are mounted. Independent controls are provided for these motors and owing to the complete independence of the motors and of the controls, any and all desiredoperations of the motors, singly or collectively ma be carried out at will.

The invention, in thepreferred form 01' construction and arrangement of parts, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: i

Fig. 1 is a viewin elevation, partly broken away, showing the improved power shovel.

Fig. 2 is a plan of the power shovel parts and controls. t

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the power shovel parts being in section.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view showing the turntable mounting and support and the motor for operating the same. 1

Fig. 5 is a view showing in independent perspective the various controls motors.

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation showing afoot control-for the turntable motor.

for the operating.

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan of the shock-absorbing means.

Fig. 8 is a broken perspective showing the use of a hook for converting the construction to a power hoist.

Fig. 9 in a view in broken elevation showing a. modified power means for operating the pump.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of a slight modification of the operating arrangement.

Th inventionis here shown and will be described as mounted on a more or less 'conventional motor truck I, to provide convenient and rapid portability of the power shovel when desired. However, nolimitationis to be understood by th s showing and descript on, as the shovel may be mounted on a mobile base or even on a fixture, according to the requirements of the and adjustably connected to the beams 38 of the boom.

A dipper stick 42, also of skeleton form and including spaced parallel side bars 43, braced by crossbeams is adjustably connected at one end particular mechanism, and any and all such bases are to be considered as contemplated within the spirit of th invention.

The mechanism of the improved power shovel is supported on channel beams 2, secured to and extending transversely of the chassis frame bars 3 of the vehicle, A base plate 4 is rig dly supported on the beams 2. ,A sleeve member 5 is rigidly bolted at-B to plate 4, and rises above the plate toreceive the elements 1 and 8 of an antifriction bearing. the movable element of which is secured at 9 to a turntable l0. wh ch is thus freely rotatable relative to plate 4. This detail of construction is more clearly shown in Fig, 4.

Extending upwardly from the turntable, and in relatively spaced relationare brackets ll, of sufiicient height and strength to support operating parts of the mechanism. A motor, preferably hydraulic. is mounted between the brackets II, which motor, herein indicated at A, will be hereinafter referred to as the turntable operating motor. This motor A is connected directly to the turntabl ID. A second motor B is supported by brackets H and [2, this motor B servingto control the boom of the shovel as hereinafter referred to. A third motor C is mounted directly on the shovel beam, hereinafter noted, for operating such beam.

Thes motors A, B, and C, are served from a common source of power, and independently controlled, as necessary. The shaft l3 of motor A is hollow and extends through the turntable bearing base plate 4, and to and through a shock-absorber to be described. A power shaft l4 extends upwardly through the motor shaft l3, the lower end of shaft 14 being geared to apower shaft or take-ofl' of the engine or transmission of thevehicle l, which upper end is geared at l5 to the shaft iii of a fluid pump I1,

The outlet pipe 2| from the to the beams of the boom, near the free ends of the latter. The opposite ends of the dipper stick bars 43 are connected to'the shovel 44, preferably near the bottom of the latter. The'dipper stick is operated by motor C, the shaft of which carries rigid arms 45, connected adjustably by bars 45 to the respective bars 43 of the dipper stick. The digging stroke of the shovel and the elevation of the loaded shovel can thus be controlled to an appreciable degree by control of th moto C through operation of its governing valve, A plate 41, provided with holes 48 provides for the selective adustment of bars 49, connected at 50 to the forward end of the shovel, to thus provide a desired angle of digging operation of the shovel.

As a means iorproviding against damage under undue strains or stresses, the construction contemplates a compensating device shown mor particularly in Figs. 3 and '7. Here an arm 5|, connected to the axis of the turntable I0, is connected at its ends to the centers of resilient members 52 fixed to the channel beams 2. This device will resist sudden and extreme movements of the parts under shovel action and provide automatic compensation for undesirable strains and stresses. g

It is of course to be understood that the motors A, B, and C, are through appropriate operation of conventional valves 22, 23, and 24, capaa wheeled power truck, for its many obviousfadpump leads through control valves as 22,, 23, and

24, each designed for manual control by a. lever 25, and operatively controlling the operation of the respective motors. nected by pipes Y26 and 21 to provid a pressure flow to and from motor A, valve 23, serving through pipes 28 and 23 the motor B, while valve 24, through pipes 30 and 3| operating motor C.

As previously stated the motor A directly operates the turntable, and if desired, and as preferred, the valve 22, o more particularly the operating lever 25 therefor, may be controlled from a remot position by a foot lever 32, connected That is, valve 22 is convantages of rapid, transportation and shifting, such unit may be a platform fo rigid placement, or any other desired type of base best suited to the particular work in hand.

Again, as shown in Fig. 9 when found neces-' sary or expedient the pump I1 maybe directly driven by an independent power unit, as an engine or motor 53, supported on an appropriate base 54 rising from or supported by the turn- .table 10. 51 is a trip rope or cable for manual release of latch on bottom of shovel. The shovel bottom, latched in place while loading, is released for dumping through manual control of a valve 55,'controlling a fluid supply from the pump I1, and governing a latch release. of any conventional type through pipes 56 and 51, shown more particularly in Fig. 1. The construction designed is described particularly as a power shovel, but obviously can as readily serve as a hoist or like purpose. For exany desired or suitable implement capable of giv ing any desired function in thedise of the apparatus that may be needed in a particular need.

The hydraulic system preferred for use in the present apparatus is a circulating system, wherein the only time pressure is used is while the motors are working and then such pressure is only in the one line in use-from pump to valve to motor. While the motors are at rest regardless of position there is no pressure in the lines from valves to pump, and thus fiuid churning or heating cannot occur.

Fig. illustrates a slight modification, wherein the turntable, here indicated at 60, is mounted to be operated by the motor Bl, as in the form previously described. The motor 62' for operatin the boom, here indicated at 63 is in this modification appropriately supported directly on and moves with the turntable. The shaft of motor 62 is provided with an arm 64, connected through a, compensating connection, as a slotted formation (not shown) to a lever 65, rigidly connected at one end to the boom at or adjacent its mounting on the turntable. The opposite end of the bar 65 is connected by a brace 66 to the boom remote from its mounting. The motor 61 shown for operating the shovel beam 68 in the modification is in accordance with the showing and operation of motor C in the first form described.

The lever system shown in the modification is of particular value in adapting the improve ment as a ditch digger, in which case the boom 63 is preferably a single member. The modified form may obviously be used as a shovelusing a double or single form boom-and has the advantage of further lowering the specific gravity, as compared with the first form, to insure better operating function under severe conditions.

The operation of the apparatus of both forms is readily apparent from the above description. Through the simple control of the appropriate valve, the turntable may be turned to and from any position, the boom and dipper stick lowered for similarly positioning the shovel and then raised to any desired height for discharge of the shovel load through control of valve 55.

- Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. A power shovel and hoist including a turntable, a boom pivotally supported and movable with the turntable, a dipper stick pivotally connected to the boom, a power unit for supplying power in both directions, brackets for support- Y ing the power unit with its axis at right angles to the axis of the turntable, said power unit including a power shaft,- a connection between the power shaft and the boom, a second power unit for supplying power in both directions, said second power unit having a power shaft con- .nected to the dipper stick, the connections between the power units and the boom and dipper stick being adjustable.

2. A power shovel and hoist including a turntable, a boom pivotally supported by and movable with the turntable, a power unit for supplying power in both directions, said power unit being mounted to selectively operate theturntable in either direction, a dipper stick pivotally connected to the boom, a power unit supported by the turntable with its axis at right angles to the axis of the turntable, said power unit including a power shaft directly connected to the boom, an additional power unit for supplying power in both directions, said additional power unit being carried by the boom and directly connected to th dipper tick, and means for selectively controlling the operations of the respective power units. 3. A construction as defined in claim 2, wherein the means for selectively controlling the power units includes a single pump for delivering a fluid under pressure, and a valve for controlling the pump flow to each of thepower units at will.

4. In combination with a motor truck, in-

cluding an engine, a turntable mounted on the truck, a boom connected to and movable with and relative to the turntable, a dipper stick connected to and movable with and relative to the boom, a shovel carried by the dipper stick, a member connected to the shovel and adjustably connected to the dipper stick for adjusting the operating angle of the shovel, a plurality of hydraulic motors for particular and independent operation of the turntable, boom, and dipper stick, a valve for each motor for governing the direction and operation of such motor, and a single fluid pressure element for delivering fluid pressure within the control of each valve.

5. A construction as defined in claim 4, where r in the shaft for the motor for the turntable is axially aligned with the axis of the turntable and wherein the motor for the boom is offset from the axis of the turntable in opposition to the projection of the boom relative to the turntable for counter-balancing the load carried by the boom.

6. A construction as defined in claim 4, wherein the axis of the boom connected motor is supported above the motor for the turntable, oilset from the turntable motor with its operative axis at right angles to that of the turntable motor,

and wherein an arm is connected to and moved by the boom-connected motor and adlustably connected to the boom.

7. In combination with a motor truck, a power shovel including a tu table. a motor carried by and for operating said turntable, and a shock absorber arranged below the turntable and connected to the frame of the motor truck, said shock absorber being directly connected to and operated by the shaft of the motor.

8. A construction as defined in claim 4, wherein the shovel is pivotally supported at its lower end on the dipper stick, and wherein the upper end of the shovel is adjustable connected to the dipper stick for changing the operative angle of the shovel at will.

9. A power shovel including a base, a turntable mounted thereon, a motor mounted axially on the turn table for operating the same, a. boom connected to the turntable near the edge thereof, a second motor supported by and above the turntable, said second motor counterbalancing the boom and connecting directly to the boom for operating such boom, a dipper stick carried by the boom, a shovel carried by the dipper stick, a pump carried by the turntable and directing motive fluid under pressure to each of said motors, and independent manually-controlled valves for governing the motive fiuid from the pump to the respective motors, said pump serving both valves. 7

10. A construction as defined in claim 9, wherein the pump is operated directly by the turntablecarried and operating motor.

11. A construction as defined in claim 9, wherein the second motor and pump are mounted above and in line with the turntable in substantially diametric opposition to the mounting of the boom on such turntable, whereby the weight of the second motor and pump act as a counterweight to the boom in operation.

' HOWARD F. GORSUCH.

REFERENCES cr'rEn The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS. Number Name Date 2,109,388 Heller Feb. 22, 1938 590,990 Kllgore Oct. 5, 1897 2,338,361 Shinn Jan. 4, 1944 1,313,217 Jackson Aug. 12, 1919 2,365,168 Billings Dec. 19, 1944 Number 2.286.537 2,162,994 1,480,623 5 876,517 1,444,670 1,328,487

Number 15 655 British Feb. 10, 1882 

